Alchemist

Playing an Alchemist in Tanaria: Pros & Cons

Pros (Why play an Alchemist?)

1. Unmatched Versatility: You can mimic both arcane and divine magic through your extracts, offering healing, support, and offense without needing to be a full caster.
2. Explosive Power: Alchemical bombs provide a flexible and scalable damage option that can adapt to a wide range of encounters.
3. Utility for Every Situation: Between toxins, mutagens, and discoveries, you can always craft a solution—literally—for almost any problem.
4. Strong Roleplay Potential: Alchemists fit seamlessly into Tanaria’s lore-rich world, from scholarly guilds in Kamulos to wandering hedge-brewers in Dhuma.
5. Crafting and Experimentation: You can create tangible items that last beyond combat—potions, salves, explosives, and more—encouraging creativity and player agency.
6. Self-Sufficiency: Through mutagens and resistances, you can become surprisingly durable and independent compared to most half-casters.
7. Science Over Faith: You don’t rely on divine favor or unstable Weave currents, giving narrative freedom and thematic distinction.

Cons (Challenges of playing an Alchemist)

1. Preparation Over Spontaneity: Extracts must be prepared in advance, requiring foresight and limiting adaptability mid-adventure.
2. Resource Management: Maintaining reagents, extract slots, and bomb components demands careful tracking and planning.
3. Dependent on Rest Cycles: Extract potency fades after eight hours, making timing critical for long journeys or multi-day dungeons.
4. High Complexity: Managing extracts, mutagens, and discoveries can overwhelm newer players or those wanting straightforward gameplay.
5. Material Costs: Alchemy consumes components and gold, which may strain resources, especially in survival-based campaigns.
6. Social Stigma: In certain regions (notably Valoria), alchemy is seen as dangerous or unholy, potentially causing friction with authorities or clerics.
7. Half-Caster Limitations: You’ll never match the raw magical power of full casters like wizards or sorcerers.

• You enjoy creative problem-solving and crafting your own solutions to every challenge.
• You want a class that balances intellect, danger, and adaptability.
• You like the flavor of a scholar, tinkerer, or experimenter operating on the edge of science and magic.
• You want a mechanically rich class with layers of customization and invention.

• You prefer simple, straightforward combat mechanics.
• You dislike managing multiple resources or tracking limited-duration effects.
• You want immediate, reactive magic rather than pre-planned concoctions.
• You find bookkeeping and item crafting tedious rather than rewarding.